This document discusses installing bird boxes to provide nesting sites for birds as natural sites like tree holes disappear. An estimated 2 million young birds fledge from nest boxes each year in the UK, where there are now 5-6 million boxes. Putting up nest boxes allows people to help birds and see species like blue tits or robins using the boxes.

1. Installing bird boxes
The natural nest sites on which
many of our bird species depend,
such as holes in trees and
buildings, are fast disappearing
as gardens and woods are
‘tidied’ and old houses are
repaired. A bird box can be a real
help to garden birds- an
estimated 2 million fledglings are
reared in nest boxes each year.
Since National Nest Box Week
was launched in 1997, thousands
of enthusiastic naturalists across
the UK have put up boxes to compensate for this
loss. It is estimated that there are now 5-6 million
boxes in gardens across the UK. It is a wonderful
feeling to see a blue tit or robin investigating a nest
box you put up yourself.
Nesting boxes build & installed
by Ricoh Members
Part of Hedgerow
Habitat Action Plan
(HAP)
Why are ancient hedgerows so
important?
Hedgerows are the most
widespread semi-natural habitat in
the UK. They are particularly
important for the survival of
widespread yet declining species
that are dependant woodland edge,
scrub or rough grassland habitats.
Hedgerows are vital for food,
breeding sites and shelter,
especially on busy sites like ours.
They also allow the movement and
dispersal through a landscape for
many insects. They are particularly
important for flying insects like
butterflies who need warm
sheltered conditions to be able to
gain, and retain, the heat
necessary to fly.
Rare or threatened species closely associated with
hedgerows include several European Protected Species,
notably dormouse, most species of bat including the
greater horseshoe bat, and great-crested newt. These
species require well connected networks of hedgerows,
rather than individual hedgerows, emphasising the
importance of hedgerows at a landscape scale for
biodiversity. A wide range of other threatened species are
dependent on hedgerows, including a few that are very
rare and specially-protected such as round-leaved feather-
moss, starved wood-sedge, Plymouth pear and barberry
carpet moth. Other species of particular conservation
concern closely associated with hedgerows include five
species of uncommon and rapidly declining bumble bee,
two scarce butterflies, the brown and white letter
hairstreaks, the rare cirl bunting and the declining turtle
dove.
Habitats for rare species
The Ancient hedgerow on RPL Telford site
can be seen in maps as far back as 1889.
This map is from 1903 and clearly shows
the hedge bordering Ricoh site.
r
Site 2
Ancient Hedgerow
Ashlee Savage R1785